Dual Permanence by Ashleigh Holmes & Jamie Preisz
Ash Holmes & Jamie Preisz come together for Dual Permanence at Rainbow Studios in Sydney, creating a collaborative body of work that began with a shared love for each other’s art.
Words: Hande Renshaw | Photography: Jake Elliot
Haute Comme Un Papillon by Ash Holmes & Jamie Preisz.
Hi Ash & Jamie, tell ua a little about how the idea to collaborate was first realised?
Jamie: I actually can’t remember the conversation we had about this but I can remember the feeling. I had been experimenting with some abstract mark making across my more realistic pieces, I’ve done this since I left art school really. I just noticed that the marks I made felt so amateur and so far behind the rest of my practice as my focus has been elsewhere. I always had thought Ash had such an advanced and intuitive mark in her work: a really excellent and effortless composition and colour and I started a secret plan to collaborate one day.
Ash: We spoke briefly about creating a piece together, it somehow eventuated into a body of work. I was so curious to see how the pieces would look collided together - what drove my motivation was the curiosity. I was honoured that Jamie would be comfortable with me painting over the top of his magnificent realism detail.
And the process when painting together - can you tell me about how it works?
Jamie: Ash brought a small selection of works to my studio she had only painted one layer on. I made some still life paintings on top and gave them back to her to work over top of. It’s been a slow and thoughtful process from my perspective. This experience has been considered and patient throughout. We didn’t want to rush or force anything, in many ways we were reacting to each others choices, Ash informed my arrangements with her colours and in turn the marks she made over the top were informed by what I produced. We didn’t really let each other see the works until they arrived at the studio
Ash: Exactly what Jamie! When the pieces arrived back in my studio after being at Jamie’s studio, I was taken back by the subjects and story he had created with his layers. It was a strong sensory experience. I didn’t touch the pieces for a month, I was taking the detail in and mentally observing what my next move would be so it was well considered.
What’s been the best part about working on the pieces together?
Jamie: I have a deep respect for Ash and her work, making decisions in my own pieces I would never have done without her influence. Learning to let go of my own ideas about what the works would look like also allowed them to have a life of their own and that was so humbling.
Ash: Jamie is so humble, he has the best intentions for the works, which to me is to create something that feels authentic, considered and sentimental. I’ve always loved the way Jamie puts together his compositions, he has a distinct style and it’s been exciting to be part of that.
“This experience has been considered and patient throughout – we didn’t want to rush or force anything, in many ways we were reacting to each others choices.”
Paris to Arles by Ash Holmes & Jamie Preisz.
Turkish Chai by Ash Holmes & Jamie Preisz.
What’s one thing that surprised you the most when woking together?
Jamie: Honestly that although we have different styles we just align in so many ways. Ash has made this project for me an absolute pleasure and truely a joy to create without expectation or pressure.
Ash: Like-wise Jamie! Absolutely, it’s been a lovely journey creating these pieces. I never had an expectation of how the pieces would feel, I’m most surprised by how the pieces feel in a space. They have a sense of natural harmony.
Why do you think your work complements each others?
Jamie: The juxtaposition of the styles making a singular work has been a balancing act. I think when Ash paints over some of that laboured realism it creates something greater than the sum of its parts. To boldly paint in the way she does adds mystery to my portions of the work and her approach being so intuitive is such a valid and necessary metaphor for how we all should approach our lives. Open, considered but with heart and enjoying the process instead of only focused on an outcome.
Ash: Between our contrasting styles and techniques I think this creates a conversation within the piece - back and forth conversing between two minds. When Jamie puts to canvas his layers of labour it adds a level of tangibility to the piece which my works don’t typically embody. To visually see a strong subject creates symbols and further mystery or meaning for the viewer.